Why does my Shaker Bottle Smell?

Shaker bottles, also known as protein shakers, drink bottles, shaker cups, mixer bottles, blenders etc. are used to mix powdered supplements, most commonly protein powders. However, it’s not uncommon for shaker bottles to develop an unpleasant smell over time. We explain several reasons which may be causing this nasty odour, and some solutions to ensure your bottle stays squeaky clean!

Top reasons for the bad smell:

1. Bacteria growth - Shaker bottles are often used to mix protein powders and other supplements, which contain traces of protein and other nutrients that are prone to attracting bacteria. If the bottle is not properly cleaned and dried after each use, this bacteria can grow and lead to a bad smell.

2. Stale / Expired ingredients - If you've had the same protein powder or supplement in your shaker bottle for a long time, it can expire or go stale, leading to an unpleasant smell.

3. Odours from previous contents - If you've used your shaker bottle to mix a variety of different beverages, it's quite common that the odours from those previous contents can stain your bottle, linger, and create a funky cocktail of unpleasant smells!

4. Bottle Material - Some shaker bottles are made of materials which are prone to retaining odours over time. Cheap plastics cups such as polypropylene are permeable and more likely to absorb these odours than other materials. Some shaker bottles also have silicone/rubber seals which are typically found underneath the lid, in the drinking spout and occasionally used in stainless steel bottle assemblies. These seals are usually in difficult to reach areas and are a magnet for unwanted protein residue and gunk. If you’re also using your shaker bottle to mix strong-smelling beverages (such as coffee, BCAAs etc), it’s likely that those odours will become trapped in the plastic material and cause your bottle to smell.

5. Poor cleaning habits - If you don't regularly clean your shaker bottle and allow residues and build-up to accumulate, it can lead to this bad smell. It's important to rinse the bottle thoroughly after each use.

6. Exposure to heat and sunlight – As with any food or beverage, shaker bottles and their contents should be stored in a cool, dry place. If the bottle is left in a hot, humid environment or exposed to direct sunlight, it can create the perfect conditions for bacteria to grow and exacerbate the bad smell.

7. Expired Contents – Ensure the powdered supplements you’re mixing haven’t expired and are correctly stored. Take the time to re-seal your protein bags and tighten the lids on your protein tubs. You want to avoid moisture prematurely getting into your packaging as this can initiate the ‘mixing’ process too early and cause the ingredients to go bad before you’ve even had the chance to mix these in your shaker bottle!

To prevent your shaker bottle from smelling, it's important to regularly clean and dry the bottle after each use, use fresh ingredients, and store the bottle in a cool, dry place. If your shaker bottle has a strong smell that won't go away, you might want to try one or more of the below solutions to remedy this.

How to remove the bad smell from your shaker bottle:

1. Thoroughly & regularly clean your bottle – it may seem obvious, however many supplement users will only rinse their bottle with water between uses. You should always use warm, soapy water and a sponge to scrub the entire bottle, including underneath the lid!

2. Timing – Where possible, try and clean your bottle straight after using it. The longer the protein residue stays in your bottle, the harder it will be to clean afterwards and the more likely it will smell.

3. Soak your bottle – Soak your bottle in warm, soapy water overnight to help break down the smell. Separate all of the individual components and ensure all of the bottle parts are fully submerged in the soapy water. This will help get to those hard-to-reach areas.

4. Shake your bottle – Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid into your bottle, fill it halfway with warm water and secure the lid. Then rigorously shake your shaker bottle as though you were preparing a protein drink. The turbulent mixing action will help to dislodge unwanted protein/supplement residue and clean those stubborn areas that you otherwise can’t reach with a sponge. Remove the lid, drain the liquid and rinse with water.

5. Invest in an odourless Shaker Bottle – At Pro Scoop we’ve developed a premium shaker bottle which is odour resistant. Unlike other cheap plastic shaker bottles, we’ve engineered our cups from Eastman Tritan which has the appeal of glass and the strength of plastic. Tritan is a BPA free & food safe material which is resistant to bad odours and incredibly easy to clean.

6. Avoid Bottles with silicone/rubber seals – Many stainless steel shaker bottles rely on a silicone/rubber gasket seal to provide a liquid tight seal. These seals are great for avoiding unwanted spills, however they allow protein residue to get in and around them and are incredibly difficult to clean thoroughly.  

7. Leave the drinking spout open – Once you’ve finished cleaning your bottle, it’s always good practice to leave the drinking spout open/ un-clicked. This allows all of the moisture to escape and allows your bottle to naturally ‘air – out’.  

8. Whey Protein vs Plant-Based Protein – Whey protein is derived from curdled milk and a by-product of the cheese manufacturing process. Dairy based proteins and beverages are more prone to bacteria growth and will leave a very strong smell if not cleaned properly. Consider using plant-based, dairy-free supplements with water instead – here are some of our favourites plant-based supplements:

9. Water instead of Milk – Try blending your protein supplements with water instead of milk. Milk, especially animal-based milk, is prone to bacteria growth and will leave a nasty smell in your bottle if it isn’t cleaned regularly and thoroughly. Water however is completely odourless and will be much easier to clean as a base for your protein drink.

10. Milton Sterilising Tablets – These tablets are designed to dissolve into cold water and create a sterilising solution for you to soak your shaker bottle. Always clean your bottle first, separate the individual components and soak for 15 minutes. Milton sterilising tablets are typically available for purchase from most chemists.

11. Deodorise with Baking Soda & White Vinegar – First, thoroughly clean your shaker bottle and remove the lid. Pour ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup white vinegar into your shaker cup with the lid off. It’s best to perform this cleaning method in a large bowl or sink as the mixture can very quickly bubble and overflow.  Let the bubbles work their magic for 10 minutes, then rinse your bottle with warm water to remove any left over vinegar or baking soda. This method will effectively remove stubborn grime and odours from your bottle leaving it smelling like….nothing!

12. Pro Scoop Pro Tip – Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned your shaker bottle, dip a piece of paper towel in some vanilla extract/essence and place into your bottle. Close the lid and leave for 24 hours. The vanilla aroma will deodorise your bottle with a pleasant smell and remove that pesky, unwanted stink!

Hopefully one or more of the above solutions has helped to rid your shaker bottle of that nasty, unwanted smell. It’s always important to practice good hygiene and to regularly clean your shaker bottle between each and every use.

At Pro Scoop, ease-of-cleaning was at the forefront of our design when developing our shaker bottles. Our cups have a wide opening so that you can easily fit your hand in and scrub away unwanted protein residue. Our bottles are free of any sharp edges or corners to prevent protein getting stuck in tight, hard-to-reach spots. Most importantly, we’ve carefully selected food-safe materials which are odour-resistant and will stop bad smells from staining our bottles.

Feel free to explore our range of premium shaker bottles which are proudly owned and design in Melbourne, Australia.